Inversion injuries of the ankle: clinical assessment and radiographic review.
Inversion injuries of the ankle are a common cause of referral and presentation to accident units. They impose a load on radiographic services. A prospective trial was carried out to determine the accuracy of clinical examination. All patients were assessed clinically then examined radiographically, the clinical assessment missed 5% of the fractures. These, however, were all minor avulsion fractures or crush fractures and Tubigrip support was sufficient. Clinical examinations is, therefore, accurate and the need for most x-ray examination is questionable. X-ray examination should be reserved for patients with continuing pain or those who clinically have a fracture requiring immobilisation. This would produce a large saving in NHS resources.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016512:Ankle Injuries; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001458:Bandages; D002648:Child; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000293:injuries; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography